k-strat

Jane plays field hockey

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Jane decided to try a new sport this fall and went out for field hockey at school. She at one point was one of six 6th grade managers - but she was the only one who actually showed up consistently at practices and games and worked hard!

She got to practice with the team, but during games she had to do the score book and water.

With the other managers one day early on when they all showed up:

Chick fil A and Menchies date with a friend after a game:

Lots of good bus time on their many trips to the Middle Penninsula:

And proof of life from another mom when the girls accidentally got left in Gloucester by the bus (due to a tragedy of errors).

Go Hawks! They ended the season with 3 wins - basically the entire team besides one girl was brand new to the sport. There are two returning 7th graders next year, along with whichever of the managers decides to play again.

Go Ape

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Ben was the first one of our kids to go to Go Ape - the outdoor high line adventure park. He loved it! He went with a friend for his friend's birthday and they had a great time. He said there were three courses they were old enough to do and they did them all - two of them twice!

After they went to La Terazza for dinner. Ben got a taco and fried ice cream. He said it was delicious.

Overall a great day!!

Middle school dance

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Eleanor and Jane recently went to their middle school's fall dance! Eleanor had a group of friends she got ready with. She wasn't at our house so I had to rely on pictures she sent me. They had a sleepover and had a great time! This is her last fall middle school dance!

This was Jane's first middle school dance! She invited a friend over to get ready with her.

The girls had pizza for dinner while they got ready.

I think Jane and her friend Annie had a great time. They came home in a great mood!

I just love these girls!

Paddle on the Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Our neighborhood has been trying some new activities recently! One they started this month was called "Paddle on the Lake." Our neighborhood has a lake in the center of it and it's mostly used by people with lakefront property. There is a lake park where others can go in, so to increase lake usage they hosted this event. People on the lake could sign up to host a "spot" - almost like a progressive dinner. Everyone else could put in (at their house, the lake park, or someone else's house) and paddle around. Each stop had a snack and/or drink. Eleanor and a friend went out on a paddleboard. They thought they would make a stop or two but ended up staying out on the lake for 2.5 hours! And it was COLD!

I helped out at a friends' dock for awhile and then we headed out in their John boat.

It was such a fun event!

Eleanor goes to the Millpond and Howl-o-scream

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

A couple weeks ago, Eleanor had a magical weekend planned. It started out with a trip to Howl-o-scream with friends. I ended up chaperoning the group (BG has a chaperone policy during Howl-o-scream) and Rosie stayed with us. She kept saying, "this is exhilarating!" She loved all the scares. Ben and Jane headed home with Chris (they are not interested).

We did a few rides (the swings, Pantheon, Loch Ness, Apollo's, Big Bad Wolf):

And hit the haunted houses. This was Rosie's first one - ClownTown. The teenagers did all 5 the park has, Rosie did three.

Rosie wanted her picture with a clown...

And then all the other girls did, too!

The crew (Daisy, Lyndon, Scarlett, Olivia, Kollins, Josie, Eve, and Eleanor):

Such a sweet group of girls - they had the best time.

The next day, Eleanor went with her small group (The Coreee) to the Millpond. This is Auntie Mollie's family's home - Auntie Mollie's niece Charlie is in Eleanor's small group and she and Eleanor were in preschool together (before we knew Mollie!) So it was very special that Eleanor got to go to a place very special to Mollie and her family!

They took the ferry over (Hannah, Eleanor, Eve, Leila, Harper, Charlie):

The girls played badminton:

Ate delicious food:

And even swam, paddleboarded, and kayaked despite the weather being in the 60s that day.

They also scared Auntie Mollie's parents to death with a very unfunny prank that thankfully everyone laughed about later.

What extremely fun and special memories they made!

W&M Tailgate

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

In September we went to a William & Mary football game for a tailgate with Chris' work.

The kids got to spend some time on the sidelines. Rosie hung out with the cheerleaders as she was wearing Ashleigh or Jessie's old cheer uniform:

We ate some good food:

Ben and Rosie ran into their teacher and spent lots of time checking in with him.

Unfortunately the Tribe lost the game, but it was still a great time!

Dude Perfect

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Back in June we went to see Dude Perfect! Ben (and the girls) have been enjoyed watching Dude Perfect videos this year, so we found tickets and went. It seemed like half of Williamsburg was there. We met friends for pizza before the show:

And then it was time!

They took on the Harlem Globetrotters in Squad Games.

They played archery tag:

Giant golf:

A game where they tried to throw things at targets and knock each other into dunk tanks:

And then ended with a shoot off:

It was close but Dude Perfect won!

Then they shared their testimonies and ended the evening:

It was such a fun show!

September wrap-up

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

School is back in full swing, fall sports are underway, and while the weather stayed hot for quite awhile this month, it's finally turning and feeling a bit more like fall.

Eleanor has done a few watercolors:

Jane and Rosie have been up to some tricks:

Rosie has been playing Chris and me in Set every morning before school:

Ben with his stuffed animal menagerie:

Rosie attempted her first stop motion video:

We got to celebrate Uncle Benny's birthday with him and the first weekend of NFL football!

Eleanor created a Crest commercial one random afternoon:

Eleanor's poster for volleyball's Dig Pink fundraiser:

Our street had its annual Hurricane Isabel cul-de-sac pot luck. Eleanor and her friend Devyn lost their volleyball down one of the culverts and some of the dads used many garage items to retrieve it.

Rosie being Rosie:

Chris and I attended our church's 50th anniversary gala:

Eleanor (and the entirety of the 8th grade in our county) went on a field trip to CW for Constitution Day:

Ben and his buddy watching the Commanders game:

We celebrated Chris' birthday!

I love the month of September, but this one was a bit hot for me! Hoping we get some true fall in October before the cold sets in!

Surge

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

I know this was last month but while Chris and I were at the beach with our small group, grandma took the kids to Surge! They had such a great time!

Trampolining:

Rock wall climb racing:

Rubix cube climbing:

More rock walls:

Obstacle courses...

Foam pit:

Overall this place is amazing! Thank you, grandma!!

Shug and Rachael visit

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Last month Shug and Rachael came down to visit! We went to Busch Gardens:

We took a walk at Freedom Park:

We played some games, then fished (and pool Benny's phone fell into the river!)

And had dinner together! They were able to stop by again on their way out of town Monday. It was a great visit! Thanks for coming!

Family visit

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

We had family visit this summer! Chris' sister and her family came from Colorado to visit and we had a mini-family reunion.

All the cousins got to be together which was very sweet. We also got to meet sweet Layla for the first time!

There was a water balloon fight:

Gaby with the grandkids:

We got to play at the park:

We went to Water Country:

The adults went out for drink's at Gaby's club and Eleanor stayed to watch the cousins while they were supposed to be sleeping...haha!!

We swam at the river:

We went to Busch Gardens:

Ben rode both Loch Ness and Pantheon (!!) for the first time!

We spent some time at the pool:

And took a trip to Bruster's!

It was a great visit! We can't wait until they come back!

Jane's birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Jane's birthday was lovely! We started the weekend prior when she had a sleepover with her friends. They started with minute to win it games:

Then they crafted:

They had ice cream sundaes and pizza for dinner:

Then they watched a movie (Wonder) and had a sleepover:

The next morning it was off to church:

On Sunday Grandma took her shopping! This is a fun tradition Grandma started years ago with Eleanor and now every kid wants to do it and so looks forward to it each birthday.

On Monday night I took my "last picture with my 10 year old!"

She woke up Tuesday morning to balloons!

It was a loooong day of school and field hockey. We decided skipping soccer was a good call so we would have time for presents, dinner, and cake! She came home to her birthday string:

Grandma was hiding on the string to surprise her:

Presents!

She loves her lacrosse shirt and blanket from Grammy and Opa!

And a label maker - Jane loves being organized!

We had penne for dinner and then it was time for cake! Strawberry with chocolate icing.

Jane, very dedicated getting the candles right. We counted twice after Eleanor put the wrong number on her own cake a couple weeks ago, hah!

Happy birthday, Jane!

We love this sweet girl!

Jane and Chris went out to breakfast on Saturday after her birthday!

Happy 11th birthday to our sweet Janer!

Jane is 11!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Jane is ELEVEN years old! Oh where to begin with Jane! She is 61.5 inches tall (almost 92% of the way to my adult height) and weighs about 95 pounds. This girl has both grit and heart like you would not believe. When she is determined, things happen. She crushed her 5th grade year getting straight A's and participating in safety patrol (for the whole year), chorus, Battle of the Books (competition team), Run Club, and started playing the trumpet. She played travel soccer, and rec basketball, lacrosse, and summer swim (medaling in all three of her events at the Champs meet). She is growing more insightful and has kept her empathy and kindness. She is rocking the transition to middle school, but is dragging her feet all the way. She joined the field hockey team as a manager this year, and we can't wait to see what other things she'll take on. She crochets, loves music, graphic novels, sports, and friends.

Eleanor and Jane at 11:

Jane at one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, fifteen, and eighteen months old.

Jane at two, two and a half, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten years old.

Labor Day

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Labor Day weekend was a much needed break for this crew! I think it's the first time they've had two weeks of school before a break (usually only one). The kids had Friday and Monday off and were very ready for it.

Chris headed off Thursday to his annual Fantasy Football draft weekend. His team won their "Ryder Cup" tournament by one stroke, they ate food, drafted players, and hung out.

Meanwhile at home the kids and I had a quiet Friday (I had to work). Friday evening Eleanor headed out to a friend's birthday sleepover. Early the next morning, Jane and I took off to Richmond for a soccer tournament. Luckily our neighbors hung out with Ben and Rosie for the morning.

The soccer tournament went well - they tied their first game 1-1 (sadly we had an own goal), and won their second game 7-0 (Jane had a goal). They were seeded second in their bracket but sadly lost the semi-finals game so came in third overall - though Jane had an incredible PK!

Saturday night we headed to Busch Gardens where Ben rode Apollo's Chariot for the first time. He has gone from no roller coasters to all of them this summer!

Last 9am outdoor church of the summer:

Sunday afternoon we headed to the pool. I made the kids take the annual by the side of the pool picture:

That evening we had our neighborhood picnic:

The next morning we headed to Virginia Beach for the day to shut summer down officially:

Off to Planet Pizza for dinner where Rosie took her picture again with her "friend Brad."

Photo shoot on the beach:

Then off to Kohr Bros:

Playing on the beach at dusk before heading home:

Happy Labor Day!

VBS - Rome

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

This year our church's VBS theme was Rome! The kids had such a great time.

There were activities:

Lots of music (Eleanor was a motions leader again this year):

A snow machine!

Decorations:

And dinners!

Happy VBS week from our crew!

First day of school 2026-2027

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Somehow we're back here already - back to school time!

Eleanor is off to 8th grade - her last year of middle school! She made the volleyball team again and will be playing this fall.

Jane is off to 6th grade - her first year of middle school! She is managing the field hockey team - her first time playing the sport. So far she likes it! It was a transition from elementary to middle school but she is handling it well!

Off go the middle schoolers with all their gear! Regular backpack, sport backpack and equipment, instruments...

Then a couple hours later it was Rosie and Ben's turns!

They are off to 3rd grade this year - with a male teacher for the first time! Actually, none of the kids have had a male teacher in elementary school. Ironically, Eleanor has had 6/8 of her teachers male in middle school the last two years.

Off they go to the bus stop with all the other neighborhood kids:

We hope the 2026-2027 year of school is wonderful for this crew!

Beach and birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000

This year our small group decided to take a trip together! We opted for a weekend in the Outer Banks sans kids. It was a lot of fun! We spent two full days lounging on the beach:

Boogie boarding (mostly day 1 - day 2 was a little rougher!)

We went out to dinner at Waterman's

Played lots of games:

Watched several sunsets:

And spent time poolside:

It was lots of fun!

Meanwhile the kids had a blast at home with grandma! When we got home they had planned a birthday party for me! We grilled burgers and ate cake!

Happy 40th to me! No better way to spend a birthday!

That afternoon we hit the pool:

What a great group!

Thank you all for making my birthday so special!!

August wrap-up

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

August! This year even the start of August felt like the end of summer. Part of this is because Labor Day is so late this year so it feels like school started even earlier. I think we need to plan an August vacation again to keep the good times rolling. It was pretty hot most of the month, but we did get a bit of a reprieve the first week of school.

Jane and Rosie went to see the Little Mermaid with friends:

Rosie, like me, is getting into birding (just kidding):

Eleanor started Invisalign!

Trip for ice cream!

Eleanor also got to attend the Student Ministries summer retreat. She went a day late because of champs, but had a great time!

My birdhouse (from Aunt Holly) - I trimmed some branches so I can see it through the window while I work:

Evening walks down to the marina...

Towers built with school supplies...

Ben has been very interested in 3-D printed things lately:

We've eked out all the pool time we possibly can!

Jane had orientation at the middle school and Eleanor helped lead it as an 8th grader:

Ben had a couple nasty bike injuries recently (thank goodness for helmets):

Back to school nights!

Ice cream at the pool by our lovely civic association:

Rosie and Ben both rode Pantheon for the first time this summer:

We had a make your own pizza night:

Jane getting ready for the first day of school:

Rosie first week of school hair:

Fun summer friends - they caught a butterfly:

Ice cream at Retro's in CW!

Rosie with a neighborhood buddy, Elle:

Fun times at Busch Gardens:

Good times at Water Country!

Boys ready to race at church:

Time down at the marina:

Jane at Sno-to-go with her soccer team:

Ben the cup man:

This month has been fun and full of all things summer. We are sad to see it end, but I am ready for cooler weather! We will take advantage of whatever heat we have left to play in the pool, but I'm ready to pull out a hoodie!

Eleanor's birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

For Eleanor's birthday this year, she had her small group (the Coreee) meet us at the pool for pizza and swimming.

Then they all came back to our house for ice cream sundaes and a sleepover:

Last picture with my tween!

The next morning was her birthday!

After everyone left with did pool for a bit and her birthday string:

We saw cousins at the park!

And then it was home for her birthday dinner (ribs) and cake (raspberry and chocolate)!

Eleanor put her own candles on the cake...and then after she blew them out we realized she only put 12 on! So we had to do it all over again, hah!

Eleanor, we love you and hope all your birthday dreams come true!

Swim times 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Summer swim 2026 is in the books! The kids had such a great time, as always, hanging out with friends, being in the pool, staying up late at meets, eating candy, drinking gatorades, and cheering for their team! Chris announced for the meets, we had two meets that got either moved to Wednesday or split over two nights due to storms, and we ended up coming in second place in our division (losing only to Kingswood). We won Champs, though!

Eleanor's Top times:

100m Individual Medley: 1:27.44 seconds

50m Freestyle: 33.85 seconds

50m Breaststroke: 44.0 seconds

50m Backstroke: 45.50 seconds

50m Butterfly: 40.47 seconds

200m Freestyle Relay: 2:11.55 seconds (with Zoe, Gracie, and Bella)

200m Medley Relay: 2:29.76 seconds (with Zoe, Eleanor M., and Vicky M.)

Eleanor's top swims:

Eleanor's Free Relay:

Eleanor's Medley Relay:

Jane's Top times:

100m Individual Medley: 1:50.6 seconds

50m Freestyle: 38.8 seconds

50m Breaststroke: 48.15 seconds

50m Backstroke: 52.67 seconds (but her top time from last year is still 52.62 seconds)

50m Butterfly: 46.32 seconds

200m Medley Relay: 2:36.08 seconds (exhibition with Eleanor, Eleanor M., and Lilly Y.)

Jane's top swims:

Jane and Eleanor's Medley Relay:

Ben's Top times:

25m Freestyle: 21.19 seconds

25m Breaststroke: 32.97 seconds

25m Backstroke: 27.24 seconds

25m Butterfly: 25.24 seconds

Ben's top swims:

Rosie's Top times:

25m Freestyle: 24.5 seconds

25m Breaststroke: 29.09 seconds

25m Backstroke: 30.43 seconds (but her top time from last year is still 29.94 seconds)

25m Butterfly: 30.01 seconds

Rosie's top swims:

Eleanor is 13!

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Eleanor is thirteen years old! She is 66" inches tall (98.5% of the way to my adult height!). She absolutely crushed 7th grade last year, earning her first high school credit, playing libero for her school's volleyball team, was a featured role in the school musical, and joined NJHS! She played rec soccer, did summer swim, played rec basketball, and lacrosse. She continued exploring tennis, and participated in Student Ministries solidifying close friendships with many of the girls there. She got her own room this winter and has her own routines and her own life these days often making plans with friends and heading out via bike to meet up with them. As most teens these days, she's interested in skincare and clothes, but seems to try to keep a good head on her shoulders. She is becoming such a fun and interesting person and we are so thankful we get to be her parents! She is kind, funny, and easy to get along with. We very much look forward to seeing what each new year brings her way. Happy THIRTEENTH birthday Eleanor! We cannot believe you are a teenager.

Eleanor at one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, fifteen, and eighteen months old.

Eleanor at two, three, three and a half, four, and four and a half, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, and twelve years old.

Swim pictures 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Summer swim annual pictures! I always try to take pictures of the kids once during the season on picture day.

Team picture:

Eleanor:

Jane:

Ben:

Rosie (please note her fierce pose):

Sisters!

Twins!

And the whole sibling crew!

Swim meet and season pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

This summer's swim season has come and gone! The kids had a great season - a couple posts are coming with details. First, swim meet pictures!

Meet against Greensprings - it got thundered out partway through and then we had to come back on a Wednesday. We only won by 1 point!

Rosie, Zoe, Violet at Clerk of Course:

Ben and Rosie on the blocks:

Eleanor and Jane on the blocks:

Meet against Kingsmill - a late night! Cheering for relays:

Relay team: Bella, Gracie, Eleanor, Zoe

Glowsticks:

Jane and Millie from her soccer team last year:

Queens Lake - got halfway through due to rain and then came back on a Wednesday. Jane swimming fly:

Sisters:

Ben!

Fords at home!

Kids on blocks:

Gaby came to see the kids swim:

Evie visiting from TX!

Relays:

Kingswood - the only meet we lost:

Champs - the three IMers. They all crushed it in the fast heat!

Rosie ready for her favorite stroke - breast! She came in 15th:

Jane crushing fly - she dropped 4.99 seconds. I thought the clock broke! She also dropped almost 2 seconds in free and 3 in breast at champs - it was a GREAT meet for her.

The littles:

Medals! Jane took 8th in free, 4th in breast, and 5th in fly:

Eleanor took 9th in IM, 6th in free, and 7th in breast (no pictures for her, because she bee-lined it out of champs the second she exited the pool to head late to the SM Summer Retreat).

Our team won the meet!

End of season ice cream break at Menchies:

End of season luau:

Team dinner:

Eleanor won the coach's award! She has won this as a 7/8, a 9/10, and now as an 11/12! She missed the party though because of the retreat.

Rosie with her favorite coaches - Brooke and Elly:

Hoarding all the decorations from the clubhouse:

It was a great season overall - the kids did great, got better, swam faster, and had so much fun!

Kid dates 21

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Eleanor and I watched Titanic together:

Jane and Chris went to play pickleball!

Chris and I got a little behind and double-dated with Ben and Rosie to play mini-golf with a friend:

Stage Lights - SpongeBob

noreply@blogger.com (Katie) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

This summer, Eleanor and Jane both did a theater camp together for a month. The camp, called Stage Lights, put on a production of SpongeBob Jr. Eleanor and Jane were both in the ensemble:

Getting ready:

On the way to the first performance:

The cast board:

Us getting ready to watch the production for the first time!

This was Jane's first production and her theater debut! She doesn't know yet if she wants to try out for the middle school play this year or if this will be her only stage production:

They both did such a great job!

I'm certain Eleanor will do theater this coming year, but she had a good time this summer in this shorter production.

Eleanor with friends from school productions:

Rosie with stacks of money from the money song! Eleanor and Jane came through and threw money into the crowds!

Small group friends:

Family and cousins!

Jane post show. She was very less than thrilled that stage make up is required.

Overall it was a good experience!

After the show the kids went to Sweet Frog every night:

Clips from the show: